Labeling device and label

ABSTRACT

A compact disc labeling device for manual application of a label to a compact disc includes an assembly having a circumferential flange with an upper flange surface, a piston, a first rod having a diameter approximately equal to the diameter of the label&#39;s central aperture and that extends from the upper surface of the piston, and a second rod having a diameter approximately equal to the diameter of the disc&#39;s central aperture and that extends from the first rod. In use, a label is placed on the flange with the first rod projecting through its central aperture and the disc positioned on the second rod through its central aperture. When the piston is moved from an upper first position to a lower second position, the disc is applied to the label.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This a continuation application of Ser. No. 09/315,569 filed May 29,1999, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,149,763 on Nov. 21, 2000, which isa continuation application of application Ser. No. 09/035,390 filed Mar.5, 1998, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 5,925,200 on Jul. 20, 1999, whichis a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/806,316, filed Feb. 26,1997, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 5,783,033 on Jul. 21, 1998.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a device for applying or adhering twosubstantially planar discs each having a central aperture so that theyare concentrically aligned. More specifically, the invention relates toa device for centering and applying labels to compact discs.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRIOR ART

Present electro-optical storage devices include Compact Disc Read OnlyMemory devices (CD-ROMs) that store digital information. The informationis either or both audio and visual in nature. The information can alsoinclude data. CD ROMs comprise a plastic or “glass” disc that is coatedwith a metallic surface. The surface is etched or cut such that whenplaced in a CD ROM reader and spun at high speed, the etched pattern maybe identified by a laser or other scanning method.

By their form, function and manufacture, CD ROMs are generallyindistinguishable from one another. It is also generally difficult, ifnot impossible, to identify the nature or content of the information ona given CD ROM by visual inspection alone. It is therefore necessary toprovide CD ROMs with a physical, unique mark or label.

The capability of a CD ROM to faithfully represent the informationcontained thereon is in large part dependent on the ability of the discto be placed into a sustained, steady high speed spin about its physicalcenter. This high speed spin presents complications to the markingmethods employed.

Traditional ink based marketing methods in which the ink is applieddirectly to the disc must use an ink that will remain in place duringsustained high speed spin. Additionally, the ink must be non-deleteriousto the material of the disc. Use of conventional writing instruments,such as felt tip pens, is generally unsatisfactory since the ink mayparticulate and separate from the disc with the potential for becominglodged in the mechanism of the disc reader. In addition, marking in thisway does not present a professional appearance, especially if the CDROMs are to be sold or used commercially.

Printers specially adapted for printing onto compact discs areavailable. However, the cost of such printers is prohibitive to thosewho produce CDROMs in low volumes.

An alternative to using an ink marker directly on the disc is to use alabel, usually a self-adhesive label, that is subsequently attached tothe disc. Because of the high speed at which the disc must be spun, itis essential that the label be affixed in such a way that the overallbalance of the disc is not adversely affected. In particular, it isnecessary that the center of balance of the disc remains about itsgeometric center. Labels which are not concentrically affixed to thediscs, for example, “half-moon” or semi-circular labels, have previouslycaused malfunctions and often rendered the discs virtually useless.

A known manual device for concentrically applying a self-adhesive labelto a compact disc comprises a first member having a cylinder closed atone end by a slightly convex exterior face with a central aperturecorresponding approximately to the size of the central aperture of thelabel, and a second member having a first portion with a diameterapproximate to the diameter of the aperture of the first member and asecond portion having a diameter approximate to the diameter of thecentral aperture of the compact disc. The first and second portionstogether form a shoulder against which the compact disc is seated.

In use, the operator must initially position an adhesive label on thefirst member so that its adhesive surface is uppermost. The labelaperture is aligned with the central aperture of the end face of thecylinder. This step alone can be difficult because of the tendency ofthe label to stick to the operators fingers and hence move off-centerwhen the operator attempts to withdraw his/her fingers in order for thecompact disc to be pressed onto the label. Also, there is a tendency forthe label to curl upwards when the operator is not holding the labeldown.

Once the label is in its desired position on the first member, thecompact disc which is retained against the shoulder portion of theplunger can be pressed down onto the label. In order to achieve thedesired concentric alignment between the label and the disc, it isnecessary to press firmly the disc against the shoulder portion whilepushing the first portion of the plunger through the aligned aperturesof the first member and the label.

Since the surface of the first member against which the label andcompact disc are pressed is not planar, further care has to be taken toensure that no air bubbles are trapped between the label and the disc.Such air bubbles are not only unsightly, but may also cause balancingproblems in the CD ROM reader.

It will be appreciated that this known device therefore relies upon theskill and manual dexterity of the operator in order to achieve correctalignment of the label and the compact disc. Moreover, the device isreliant upon the operator being sufficiently well-organized to keep thetwo components in close proximity ready for use.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide adevice that overcomes the aforementioned problems and is inexpensive toproduce, manually operable, permits reliable alignment of the label andthe compact disc, and substantially eliminates the opportunity foroperator error.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, in a first embodiment, is directed to a unitarydevice for applying a first substantially planar member having a centralaperture of a first diameter to a second substantially planar memberhaving a central aperture of a second diameter. The device includes: anassembly having a circumferential flange with an upper flange surfacecapable of supporting the first planar member; a piston member having anupper surface; a first rod having a diameter slightly less than thefirst diameter, extending from the upper surface of the piston member;and a second rod having a diameter slightly less than the seconddiameter, extending from the first rod. The first diameter is greaterthan the second diameter. The piston member is adapted to move from afirst upward position in which the second rod and at least a portion ofthe first rod extend above the upper flange surface to a second lowerposition in which at least the first rod is entirely below, or is levelwith the upper flange surface so that the first and second members arepressed against each other.

The first and second members can be reliably retained with theirrespective central apertures in concentric alignment. By moving thepiston from first to second positions, the first and second member canbe brought together with their alignment maintained. By virtue of thefirst rod having a substantially similar diameter to the aperture of thefirst member, the first member can be retained in position on the flangeby means of the first rod extending through its aperture. Similarly, thesecond rod, having a diameter substantially similar to the aperture ofthe second member, is able to retain the second member in position.

The device may further comprise a tube having an upper end and a lowerend. The circumferential flange extends from the upper end of the tube,and the piston member is slidably received in the tube.

A further aspect of the present invention is a compact disc labelcapable of allowing visual inspection of the disc surface underneath thelabel. More particularly, the present invention comprises a transparentcompact disc label.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of one embodiment of the inventive device,illustrating the components of the device, as well as the first andsecond planar members; and

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the assembled device of FIG. 1 with thefirst and second planar members in position to be placed on the device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, the present invention comprises a top cover plate 7having a central hole 6, a hollow structure, preferably a cylinder 8,and a bottom plate 9. The top plate 7 is affixed to structure 8 suchthat the structure and central hole 6 are concentrically aligned. Inthis preferred embodiment, bottom plate 9 is affixed to the loweropening of structure 8. The top plate 7, structure 8 and bottom plate 9form an enclosed container 21. The container 21 houses the pistonassembly. The piston assembly includes a piston 5, a first rod 4, and asecond rod 3. The first rod 4 has a concentric outer diameter largerthan the diameter of second rod 3. The first rod 4 is connected tosecond rod 3 and is preferably integral with second rod 3. The secondrod 3 extends upwardly above top plate 7. The meeting of second rod 3 tofirst rod 4 forms a compact disc support shoulder 14. The piston 5 isfree to travel upwardly and downward within container 21.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 1includes a spring 11 housed within container 21, between bottom plate 9and piston 5. The spring 11 ensures that piston 5 rests in a fullyupward position such that second rod 3 and first rod 4 protrude upwardlythrough center hole 6 in top plate 7. Ideally, piston 5 is preventedfrom being withdrawn from the upper end of structure 8. To preventpiston 5 from being withdrawn from structure 8, a collar (not shown) canbe provided on the interior of structure 8 at its upper end. Morepreferably, top plate 7 can extend beyond the interior diameter ofstructure 8. As shown in FIG. 1, first rod 4 to form a piston assemblyretaining shoulder 15. Piston assembly retaining shoulders 15 is largerthan center hole 6 such that during normal operation the piston cannotbe removed from the enclosed container 21.

In the preferred embodiment, the bottom plate 9 has pressure releasemeans 10 to provide an outlet for pressure that may form withincontainer 21 as a result of the movement of piston 5.

The structure 8, as shown in FIG. 1, preferably is a cylinder or tube.However, structure 8 can be any configuration that permits piston 5,along with first and second rods 4, 3, respectively, and spring 11 tomove therein free of friction. Accordingly, piston 5, first and secondrods 4, 3, respectively, and spring 11 can be any configurationcompatible with the interior of structure 8. As shown, structure 8 iscylindrical and is compatible with coiled spring 11 and cylindricalpiston 5 and first and second rods 4, 3, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 2, the present invention is used to apply labels to CDROMs as follows: a label 2 is placed onto top plate 7 with its adhesiveside facing upwardly such that second rod 3 and first rod 4 protrudethrough the center hole of the label. The center hole of a CD ROM 1 isthen placed onto second rod 3 with the side to be labeled facingdownward toward the adhesive side of label 2 which is resting on topplate 7. The CD ROM 1 is prevented from coming into casual contact withthe adhesive side of label 2 because first rod 4 has a diameter that isgreater than the diameter of the center hole of the CD ROM.

Gentle downward pressure is applied to second rod 3 to depress piston 5within container 21 against the action of compression spring 11. Thepiston 5 is gently deflected downward until the point at which first rod4 is fully retracted into structure 8. At this point, the CD ROM 1 comesinto contact with the adhesive side of label 2. The downward pressure isthen gradually released allowing spring 11 to return piston 5 to itsresting position making it easy for the user to remove the now labeledCD ROM 1.

In a preferred embodiment, second rod 3 has a diameter of 14 millimeters+/−0.5 millimeters, and first rod 4 has a diameter of 41 millimeters+/−0.5 millimeters. The top cover 7 has an outer diameter of about 118to about 120 millimeters. The diameter of central hole 6 is about 41millimeters plus sufficient clearance to allow passage of first rod 4through central hole 6. The diameter of bottom plate 9 can be anydiameter that permits the device to withstand the pressing operation ofsecuring label 2 to CD ROM 1, and does not allow the device to fallover. For ease of manufacturing, the diameter of bottom plate 9 isapproximately the same as that of top plate 7.

The structure 8 has an outside diameter of about 51 millimeters, and aninner diameter of approximately 44 millimeters. The spring 11, whichmust move frictionlessly in structure 8, has a diameter of about 40millimeters. The diameter of piston 5, which must move frictionlessly instructure 8, is about 43 millimeters. The diameters of second rod 3 andfirst rod 4 approximate the diameter of the central aperture of astandard CD ROM, and the diameter of the central aperture of label 2,respectively.

In order to prevent pressure build-up within structure 8 when the piston5 is depressed, bottom plate 9 can be provided with a pressure release10. For example, pressure release 10 can be in the form of a hole, toallow air to escape from structure 8. The pressure release 10 can alsobe provided elsewhere on the device, such as in the wall of structure 8.

For both ease of manufacture and aesthetic purposes, the shape and sizeof top plate 7 can be identical to that of bottom plate 9. In order notto negate the usefulness of pressure release 10, the underside of thebottom plate 9 can be provided with a plurality of feet to raise thebottom plate from the work surface on which the device is placed. Theuse of feet can also help reduce the possibility of the devicescratching or otherwise damaging the work surface.

The top plate 7 has an upper surface capable of supporting label 2. Toachieve this, it is especially advantageous that central hole 6 has adiameter that approximates that of the center hole of label 2. Also, theouter diameter of the upper surface of top plate 7 should be the same orgreater than the diameter of label 2. Furthermore, while the uppersurface of top plate 7 may be slightly concave, a substantially planarsurface is preferred since, when used to apply adhesive labels tocompact discs, the planar surface reduces bubble formation and minimizesthe flexing of the compact disc. While top plate 7 may have a circularouter radius, this is not essential and other shapes, as may beappropriate to the shape of the planar member to be supported, can beprovided.

The second rod 3 extends concentrically from first rod 4. Since secondrod 3 is of a smaller diameter than first rod 4, compact disc supportshoulder 14 is created where the two rods are joined. The compact discsupport shoulder 14 at least partially supports CD ROM 1. Because secondrod 3 extends for a length or height greater than the thickness of CDROM 1, the second rod can also function as a means for depressing piston5 into cylinder 8. Thus, there is no need for an additional handle orgrip means.

The piston 5, second rod 3, and first rod 4 can be joined to each otherby any conventional means, such as, for example, adhesive or screws. Forease of manufacture and strength, it is preferable to form piston 5 andfirst and second rods 4, 3, respectively, in one piece, such as bymolding.

Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a method forapplying label 2 to a disc, such as CD ROM 1, using the devicepreviously described. The method according to the present invention issuitable for applying labels of varying shapes and sizes to discs. Whereit is desired to incorporate as much information as possible on label 2,the label may extend to almost the outer edge of the disc.Alternatively, where the surface area needed to convey the informationis not as great, label 2 may be of substantially smaller diameter thanthat of the disc.

Labels for use on compact discs, such as CD ROM 1, have heretofore beensuch that information printed on the surface the disc is obscured. Thisis disadvantageous in situations where it is desired to add information,but at the same time, retain access to the information already provided.Until now, it has been necessary to reproduce the original informationtogether with the additional information on the label to be affixed.Such an operation is both time consuming and increases the chance ofintroducing errors into the original material.

Therefore, a further aspect of the present invention resides in acompact disc label capable of allowing visual inspection of the surfaceof CD ROM 1 underneath label 2. More particularly, the present inventioncomprises a transparent compact disc label.

Not all transparent materials are suitable for application to compactdiscs. Further, the adhesive used to adhere the label to the disc mustbe compatible with both CD ROM 1 and label 2. The label material andadhesive must be selected to avoid the bubbling and creasing of label 2during application of the label to CD ROM 1. It is also important forany such label 2 to be printable by both inkjet and laser printers.According to one aspect of the invention, one side of label 2 is coatedwith a coating that can receive an inkjet dye or pigment without the dyeor pigment smudging or rubbing off.

Advantageously, transparent compact disc label 2 according to thepresent invention comprises a transparent, flexible polymeric materialhaving a coating of an acrylic-based adhesive on at least one surface.The polymeric material may be a polyester or the like.

While the invention has been described in relation to the fixing oflabels onto compact discs, it will be understood that the deviceaccording to the invention can be applied to any similar situation whereit is desired to concentrically align two or more substantially planarmembers.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for affixing a label to a compactdisc in a substantially concentric manner, the label having anon-adhesive side and a central opening of a first diameter, the compactdisc having a labeling side with a non-labeling area and a centralopening of a second diameter smaller than the first diameter, theapparatus comprises: a cover member having a central hole and a labelsupport surface adapted to support the non-adhesive side of the label; asupport structure; a movable assembly having a first member, a secondmember and means for retaining the movable assembly in the supportstructure; and a resilient member, wherein the second member isconnected to the first member to form a support shoulder adapted tosupport at least a portion of the non-labeling area of the compact disk,wherein the movable assembly is adapted to move with respect to thelabel support surface, at least partially within the support structure,between a first position having the support shoulder above the labelsupport surface and a second position having the support shoulderproximate to the label support surface, and wherein the resilient memberis adapted to cooperate with the movable assembly to move the movableassembly between the first position and the second position.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for retaining comprises aretaining shoulder formed the first member, and at least a portion ofthe retaining shoulder is larger than and adapted to be retained by thecentral hole of the cover member.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe support shoulder is larger than the central opening of the compactdisk but smaller than the central opening of the label.
 4. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein the structure has a top, a bottom and a hollowtherebetween and the cover member has a bottom side, the bottom side ofthe cover member is affixed to the top of the structure such that thehollow and the central hole of the cover member are aligned.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein in the second position the supportshoulder is below or substantially level with the label support surface.6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the movable assembly hasa downwardly facing surface, and wherein the resilient member cooperateswith the downwardly facing surface.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising a bottom plate affixed to the bottom of the structure.
 8. Theapparatus of claim 7, wherein the cover member, the structure and thebottom plate form an enclosed container.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8,further comprising a central hole defined within the bottom plate,wherein the bottom plate is affixed to the bottom of the structure suchthat the hollow and the central hole of the bottom plate are aligned.10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the resilient member cooperateswith and is retained within the enclosed container by the bottom plate.11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the movable assembly is a unitarydevice.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the structure is acylinder.
 13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first member is acylinder having a diameter from about 40.5 mm to about 41.5 mm.
 14. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the label support surface is a circularsurface having a diameter from about 118 mm to about 120 mm.
 15. Adevice for applying a label having a non-adhesive side and a centralopening of a first diameter to a compact disc having a labeling sidewith a non-labeling area and a central opening of a second diametersmaller than the first diameter, the device comprising: a cover memberhaving a central hole and a label support surface adapted to support thenon-adhesive side of the label; a structure having a hollow, thestructure being connected to the cover member such that the hollow andthe central hole are substantially aligned; and a movable assemblyslidably received within the hollow, the movable assembly having a firstshoulder adapted to retain the movable assembly within the hollow and asecond shoulder adapted to support at least a portion of thenon-labeling area of the compact disk, wherein at least a portion of thefirst shoulder is larger than the central hole of the cover member, andwherein the movable assembly is adapted to slide the second shoulderfrom a position above the label support surface to another positionabout level with the label support surface.
 16. The device of claim 15,wherein the second shoulder is larger than the central opening of thecompact disk but smaller than the central opening of the label.
 17. Thedevice of claim 16, further comprising a resilient member receivedwithin the hollow of the structure and adapted to bias the firstshoulder against the cover member.
 18. The device according to claim 17,wherein the movable assembly has a downwardly facing surface, and theresilient member cooperates with the downwardly facing surface to biasthe first shoulder against the cover member.
 19. A unitary device toaffix a label to a compact disc in a substantially concentric manner,the label having a first central aperture of a first diameter and thecompact disc having a second central aperture of a second diametersmaller than the first diameter, the device including: a label supportsurface having an opening therethrough; a movable assembly retained insaid opening to operate by reciprocal movement through said opening;said assembly having a first portion and a second portion, said firstportion being connected to said second portion to form a shoulderadapted to support at least a part of the compact disc; said first andsecond portions being respectively configured to retain the label andcompact disc in generally coaxially aligned positions by the firstportion extending through said first central aperture and the secondportion extending through said second central aperture; said movableassembly being adapted to move from a first raised position wherein thecompact disc on said shoulder is above the label support surface, to asecond retracted position wherein the compact disc is brought intosubstantially concentric contact with the label on the label supportsurface.
 20. The device according to claim 19, wherein said movableassembly is guided for reciprocal movement by a tube that is fixedrelative to the label support surface.
 21. The device according to claim19, further comprising a spring to bias said movable assembly to thefirst raised position.
 22. The device according to claim 19, whereinsaid first and second portions have substantially concentric generallycylindrical shapes.